Why is there no interest in all new combos

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Money. Younger people will be hesitant about dropping 100 k on a stocker. In some cases the factory support for parts is almost nonexistent. I’ve been trying for years to get a few spare blocks for the Dumbo car, I’m still wishing and hoping.

Among car people, disposable income is practically non existent for the majority, especially at that level. Car people are mostly blue collar, and the younger ones simply don't have the money. And it takes time and money to develop the skills and talent. Honestly, if it were not for the fact that there's literally no part on a car I can't work on and complete, I would have given up long ago. If I was buying much done other than machine work (I currently don't have access to a machine shop) I'd be completely out. As it is, I don't know if/when I'm coming back with my own ride.

[Mark Yacavone]

I don't necessarily believe young people don't have the skills to run NHRA S/SS, or can't learn them.
I bought my first car at 14. Joined a car club at 20. Set first Nat'l record at 25.
There are plenty of young, talented TIG welders, engine builders, painters, etc

The issue here is that NHRA let them get away while they weren't paying attention.
First there was Super Chevy, Fun Ford events. Then NMRA, NMCA, NSCA, N/SS groups, and many other drag racing sub-cultures....Power Tours, Drag Week (where they don't even drag race..Just lay down numbers. )
TV inspired Pinks, Pass Call, Outlaws, No-Prep, 10.5 this and that. 275 radials etc. etc, etc.
NHRA Class racing pre-dated all of them.
I don't have to wonder why the young folks don't have any interest in it, for the most part.

At the risk of sounding like 660Ed...Enjoy it while you can ...Going, going, g.....

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I don't necessarily believe young people don't have the skills to run NHRA S/SS, or can't learn them.
I bought my first car at 14. Joined a car club at 20. Set first Nat'l record at 25.
There are plenty of young, talented TIG welders, engine builders, painters, etc

The issue here is that NHRA let them get away while they weren't paying attention.
First there was Super Chevy, Fun Ford events. Then NMRA, NMCA, NSCA, N/SS groups, and many other drag racing sub-cultures....Power Tours, Drag Week (where they don't even drag race..Just lay down numbers. )
TV inspired Pinks, Pass Call, Outlaws, No-Prep, 10.5 this and that. 275 radials etc. etc, etc.
NHRA Class racing pre-dated all of them.
I don't have to wonder why the young folks don't have any interest in it, for the most part.

At the risk of sounding like 660Ed...Enjoy it while you can ...Going, going, g.....

^^ pretty much explains things ^^

When I got hooked on Class racing in the early 80's, NHRA was pretty much the only game in town.

Then came the popularity of the Super Chevy and Ford 5.0 events popping up in the early 90's and that got the attention of the younger gearheads.

Today there are so many more choices for motorsports enthusiast to chose from for their gearhead dollars.

I still love the challenge of getting max performance out of " stock " production parts. But I also understand why younger gearheads are attracted to the heads up type racing venues. Too bad there are not hardly any left at the NHRA offices that care about class racing.